Karmapa Prophecies

Mar 18, 2010

Category: Book Reviews

An extensive study revolving around the current controversy over the 17th Karmapa, which argues in favour of the Shamarpa candidate, Trinley Thaye Dorje. The author looks back to the prophecies and words of the previous Karmapas to back up her argument.

Since the early 1990's, the identification of the 17th Karmapa has been mired in controversy, apparently causing a schism in the Karma Kagyu sect. Two competing factions within the sect have recognized different candidates.

Wong examines the prophecies and predictions of the previous Karmapas and Guru Rinpoche with the aid of the Gelugpa scholar Geshe Dawa Gyaltsen (a cousin of the Shamarpa cadidate Trinley Thaye Dorje.) The book includes a first-person account by the present Shamarpa, about events prior to the 16th Karmapa's passing and until his own recogition of Thaye Dorje.

Today, neither of the two candidates for 17th Karmapa can set foot in Rumtek, the Karmapa's main monastery in Sikkim, as their predecessor foresaw.